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2019 (8) TMI 502 - AT - Income Tax


Issues Involved:
1. Addition of ?26,75,724/- as long-term capital gains by invoking Section 50C of the Income Tax Act.
2. Validity of the transaction as a gift under Section 56(2)(vi) of the Income Tax Act.

Detailed Analysis:

Issue 1: Addition of ?26,75,724/- as Long-Term Capital Gains by Invoking Section 50C of the Income Tax Act:

The assessee filed a return of income for AY 2013-14 declaring a total income of ?3,48,000/-. During assessment proceedings, the Assessing Officer (AO) noticed that the assessee had sold immovable property for ?28,00,000/- but did not declare any capital gains. The stamp valuation of the property was ?41,64,500/-. The AO applied Section 50C, which mandates adopting the stamp valuation as the sale consideration for computing capital gains, resulting in a recalculated Long Term Capital Gain (LTCG) of ?26,75,724/-. The AO rejected the assessee's revised computation of income submitted during assessment proceedings, noting that no revised return was filed under Section 139(5) and the submission was not voluntary but prompted by the AO's notice.

The Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) [CIT(A)] upheld the AO's decision, stating that the transaction could not be considered a gift since the transfer deed indicated a sale for ?28,00,000/-, and the stamp duty and registration charges were borne by the transferees. The CIT(A) emphasized that in a gift, there is no consideration involved, and the assessee's claim of partial gift and partial sale was deemed an afterthought to minimize tax liability.

Issue 2: Validity of the Transaction as a Gift under Section 56(2)(vi) of the Income Tax Act:

The assessee contended that the property was sold to a relative at a lower price and the difference between the market value and transaction value was a gift, exempt under Section 56(2)(vi). The assessee submitted an affidavit stating his intention to gift the property, but this was filed only before the CIT(A) and not during the assessment proceedings.

The Tribunal examined the requirements for a valid gift, which include a transfer without consideration, acceptance by the donee, and proper execution and registration of a gift deed. In this case, there was no gift deed submitted, and the transaction was registered as a sale deed. The Tribunal held that without a gift deed, the affidavit loses significance, and the provisions of Section 50C apply, making it obligatory to adopt the stamp valuation as the sale consideration.

The Tribunal upheld the CIT(A)'s order, stating that the assessee's attempt to classify the transaction as a gift was not substantiated by proper documentation and was an afterthought. The Tribunal emphasized that the AO's application of Section 50C was correct and dismissed the appeal.

Conclusion:

The appeal was dismissed, and the addition of ?26,75,724/- as long-term capital gains under Section 50C was upheld. The Tribunal found no merit in the assessee's claim of the transaction being a gift under Section 56(2)(vi) due to the lack of a gift deed and proper documentation. The order of the CIT(A) was affirmed, and the appeal was dismissed.

 

 

 

 

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